Aging In Place

Through our Aging in Place program, Habitat DeKalb helps older adults age preserve their home and their independence specific to each homeowner’s lifestyle. We collaborate with human services organizations to evaluate individual needs and provide critical home repairs, modifications and community services.

The need

The need for Habitat’s work is immense: older Americans are one of the fastest-growing demographics in the country – by 2030, 20% of the U.S. population will be 65 or older. Yet, more than 19 million older adults are living in homes that are in disrepair or ill-equipped to safely meet their needs.

According to a study done by Harvard University, homeowners 65+ are more likely to live in older homes and have longer occupancies. After homes age past 20 years, improvement and repair spending significantly increase, especially for replacing major home components, systems, and equipment. That means that homes built before or around 2004 are due for costly improvements and repairs soon. Since older homeowners are likely be retired, living in older homes for longer, they're more likely to take on these kind of major home repair projects. The most common home improvement projects were accessibility and mobility projects. In fact 70% of homeowners aged 55+ undertook accessibility projects to make their homes more accommodating.

With that being said, in DeKalb County, there are 107,000 adults aged 65+ living in DeKalb County (Census.gov). About 45,000 are estimated to be in need of home improvements, and even more in need of major repairs. Thanks to people like you, Habitat DeKalb has served hundreds of homeowners since 1988 and will continue to serve.

We have 427 homeowners on our waiting list who need simple things like grab bars and handrails to more critical repairs like fixing leaks and water damage. Please considering donating or volunteering to directly support our programs.

Repairs we're able to provide

Critical Home Repairs:

Keeping homes safe, dry, and warm.

  • Roof repairs
  • Plumbing
  • Heating and cooling
  • Electrical
  • Structural (walls, floors, ceilings)
  • Extensive siding
  • Water infiltration
  • Weatherization (insulation, windows)

Aging In Place Repairs:

Helping preserve independence.

  • Accessibility improvements
  • Fall prevention
  • Ramp installations

 

 

 

 

Cosmetic repairs NOT included in this program

Do you qualify for senior or veteran home repairs?

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The Home Repair Program works with homeowners who need assistance with critical repairs that will alleviate health and safety issues. Habitat also offers Home Preservation as a component of the Repair Program to address minor home maintenance and repairs to the home and Aging in Place services for older adults and those with physical or mental impairments to better enable people to live and age safely in their homes.

 

Requirements

  • Must submit $1000 one-time payment
    • or agree to a 5-year lien on your home
  • Must be aged 65+ or disabled
  • Must meet income requirements
  • Home must be at least 15 years old
  • Must have owned and lived in home for at least 1 year
  • Must be a US citizen or permanent legal resident
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This program is open to all military veterans, provided they have received an honorable or general discharge. Critical home repair is interior, or exterior work performed to alleviate critical health, life, and safety issues or code violations, including a change to or repair of materials or components; a reconfiguration of space; a modification for accessibility; installation or extension of plumbing, mechanical or electrical systems on an existing structure.

 

Requirements

  • Must be aged 62+ or disabled
  • Must meet income requirements
  • Home must be at least 15 years old
  • Must have owned and lived in home for at least 1 year
  • Must be a US citizen or permanent legal resident